The 7 days quarantine in Nepal has been lifted by the government of Nepal to the tourists who have received both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. Nepal has already lifted the country-wide lockdown amid the outbreak of the COVID-19. International flights were also resumed with certain restrictions and criteria in place. The previous guideline for any tourists arriving in Nepal was to present a negative PCR report, 7 days mandatory hotel quarantine, and additional $5000 COVID insurance.
The decision to remove quarantine requirements for foreign tourists was taken by Thursday’s Cabinet meeting. The Ministry of tourism has also proposed to issue an on-arrival visa for Nepal upon arrival at Tribhuvan International Airport in Kathmandu. Tourists arriving in Nepal have to submit documentation or cards as proof that they have been vaccinated. The non-vaccinated tourists coming to Nepal have to submit a negative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) report. The report must show the test was being done 72 hours prior to their departure from the country of origin. The removal of quarantine requirements is a message to the world that Nepal is now normal and open for tourism.
The Tourism Board of Nepal is also participating in the 28th edition of the South Asian Trade and Travel Exchange Expo (SATTE) which is one of the largest travel trade shows in the subcontinent. It will be held at India Expo Mart, Delhi on March 24 and is the first travel event to be held after a year. It will be the formal promotional activities abroad for Nepal after a year. Last year only 230,085 foreign tourists visited Nepal which about the same number that came in 1986. Most of them arrived before the country went under lockdown and imposed entry restrictions on March 20. The year 2021 saw disappointing tourist arrival with less than 9,000 foreign visitors in January. February arrival was also no good with 9,146 arrivals, a steep 87.6 percent year-on-year drop. This spring and the coming main tourist season March to May-end can be hopeful for Nepal with travelers returning to the country for tourism as in the past.
